VIDEO: Suffolk children’s services praised by Ofsted

The latest Ofsted Annual social care report, published yesterday, has praised Suffolk County Council’s children’s services.

The report, which is Ofsted’s third dedicated annual report on the state of children’s social care in England examines the standard of social care given to some of the most vulnerable children in our society.

The report concluded that Suffolk County Council had ensured that services for children had a high profile within the council. Praise was also given to Chief Executive Deborah Cadman, the report stating she is “ambitious for children and their achievements”.

The report continued: “There is a clear and committed understanding of corporate parenting and the lead member is well engaged and very active in planning for and consulting with children. A determined and aspirational director of children’s services has been ambitious in her drive to transform services for children and families and has, along with her equally determined senior management team, planned for large-scale and long-term change”.

Suffolk County Councillor Gordon Jones, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills said: “It’s fantastic that Ofsted have highlighted the value that the council places on supporting the most vulnerable young people in Suffolk.

“We are all very proud of this news and my thanks go to all the staff and local community partners who work with us on a daily basis”.

Ofsted’s Regional Director for the East of England, Andrew Cook, said: “Today’s Annual Report on social care highlights some of the best performing areas in England for looking after and supporting children. It’s reassuring to see the East of England highlighted by Ofsted as examples of good practice.

The annual report published today follows on from an Ofsted Inspection (carried out 23 November – 17 December 2015) that ranked Suffolk’s children’s services as Good.

This inspection highlighted that “Leaders have a comprehensive understanding of what needs to be achieved and have made sustained progress since the inspection of services for looked after children in 2010 and child protection in 2013, which both were judged to be adequate”. It continued: “Suffolk County Council is led by dynamic and capable leaders and managers and is delivering a good service overall to children and their families”